Fifteen outstanding tour guides from travel agents across the country attended the final round of a contest held in Hanoi on August 15 by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to honour the profession and set standards for tourism.
 
The participants, selected from more than 50 candidates from 14 key tourist cities and provinces, competed in many different fields of activity.

Saigontourist travel agency continued to assert its leading position among Vietnam’s travel companies with its candidates securing the highest awards at the contest.

First prize went to the company’s Huynh Cong Hieu, who also won the title for giving the most interesting narration in a video clip on Hoi An ancient town. Hieu received VND5 million in cash and a tourist package to the Republic of Korea for two people.

Another candidate from Saigontourist, Nguyen Quynh, came in second and also secured the talent event. Another second prize was presented to Nguyen Hong Nguyen from Hanoitourist.

This is the second time such a contest has been held by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism; the first one was held in 2000.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism prepared a bank of 150 thorny questions for the contest, one third of which were situational. The candidates need to be experienced and have a broad knowledge of cultural, social and economic affairs.